“They took child Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” (Lk 2:22)

“They took child Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” (Lk 2:22) 

Today’s Passages: Lk 2:22-40; Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18

Meditation: As we celebrate today the feast of the presentation of the Lord, the mother holy church prompts us to reflect of the life and the vocation we received from God. It is said that our life is God’s gift to us and the way we live it is our gift to God. We have received many a gift in our lives from others and we ourselves have presented gifts to others as well. On this feast of Lord’s presentation, what do we have to present before the Lord? How should it be?

The first reading speaks of something refined and purified like gold and silver. “He will sit refining and purifying, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that he offer due sacrifice to the Lord. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord.” (Mal 3:3, 4) St. Paul underlines this fact as he says, “Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.” (Rom 12:1)

What was this presentation of Jesus for; its purpose? The second reading manifests the purpose of Jesus’ presentation clearly and meaningfully. Jesus presented himself into the hands of God the father as a ransom for all sinners. The word of the Lord says, “Therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and a faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people.” (Heb 2:17) Jesus himself says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.” (Mk 10:45)

Even today both God and man long for such a pleasing offering. From the words of Simon, in the third reading, we know that how long he waited for this gratuitous gift of God. He praises God saying, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Lk 2:29-32)

Once again, “Our life is God’s gift to us and the way we live it is our gift to God.” How far am I prepared to present myself to God and his people as a pleasing oblation after the life of Jesus Christ? May God who accepted the sacrifices of Abel, Noah, and Abraham, receive our offerings too.

 Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. As we begin today the year of the consecrated life (30 Nov 2014 – 2 Feb 2016), let us pray for all those lead consecrated life that their life may become a living and a holy sacrifice acceptable to God almighty father. God may send more holy and Spirit-filled servants to his vineyards. We ask for this grace through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Happy feast to all of you!